Post by: pianoman9701 on December 13, 2011, 01:59:12 PM
Contact: John Whalen, 509-892-1001 Ext. 304
WDFW will enlist anglers, new website
in pending battle against voracious pike
OLYMPIA - Concerned about the spread of northern pike in Washington waters, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is gearing up for a spring campaign to halt the advance of the voracious, non-native fish toward the Columbia River.
In the coming months, state fishery managers plan to enlist anglers to remove as many northern pike as possible from the Pend Oreille River, a conduit for pike moving downstream from Idaho and Montana.
"Anglers can play a major role in this effort," said John Whalen, WDFW’s regional fish program manager in Spokane. "Come spring, we’re going to need their help to keep northern pike from invading the Columbia River."
A new webpage ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/ais/esox_lucius/ ) on WDFW’s website outlines the rapid proliferation of northern pike in the Pend Oreille River since 2004 and the threat they pose to native fish species.
Biological surveys conducted in conjunction with the Kalispel Tribe and Eastern Washington University reveal a dramatic decline in native minnows, largemouth bass, yellow perch and other fish species that inhabit the 55-mile Box Canyon Reservoir.
"Non-native northern pike are high-impact predators of many other fish," Whalen said. "We’re increasingly concerned about future impacts to native trout and other species, including salmon and steelhead."
Fish managers have traced the movement of northern pike into the Pend Oreille River from rivers in Montana, where they were stocked illegally. Last spring, Canadian anglers reported catching them in the Columbia River near its confluence with the Pend Oreille, just north of the border between Washington state and British Columbia.
"That’s a big concern," Whalen said. "If northern pike start spreading down the Columbia River, they could create significant ecological and economic damage."
Earlier this year, WDFW held public meetings in Spokane and Newport to discuss possible options for controlling northern pike. Regardless of what other methods are used, anglers represent a major line of defense, Whalen said.
"These fish average 2-3 pounds, but can run up to 30 pounds apiece," he said, noting that there are no daily catch limits or size limits on northern pike in Washington state.
To help reduce the pike population, WDFW has proposed changing state fishing regulations to allow anglers to fish with two poles in the Pend Oreille River. The department has also proposed stripping the northern pike from its designation as a "game fish," while continuing to classify it as a "prohibited species" that cannot lawfully be transported to state waters.
"That change would help clarify our management goals," Whalen said. "Anglers could keep fishing for them, but the change in designation would signal that the priority is to control the spread of northern pike and their impact on native fish species."
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, which sets policy for WDFW, will hear public testimony on that and other proposed fishing rule changes during a public meeting scheduled Jan. 6-7 in Olympia. WDFW will also accept written comments on those proposals through Dec. 30. The commission is scheduled to take action on those proposals at a public meeting Feb. 3-4 in Olympia.
Post by: WSU on December 13, 2011, 04:09:59 PM
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on December 13, 2011, 04:24:19 PM
Joe
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 13, 2011, 05:07:24 PM
Post by: HornHoarder on December 13, 2011, 05:18:18 PM
Also I'm hoping that if they are not classified as a gamefish no longer, time to go bowfishing.
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 13, 2011, 05:34:38 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 13, 2011, 06:51:57 PM
I have fished for those most of my life, in a river system no way to ever get rid of them. They are here to stay.
Joe
This is just a repete of when Walleyes were introduced into Roosevelt 40 plus years ago. We used to fish them on the Kettle river and when the gammie came down and asked what we were catchin. Show him a tote sack full of them and they would ask is that all you got? Then some one found out just what a Gold mine they were and since the reg's have changed several times on them
There has never been a bag limit on the Northerns yet.
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on December 13, 2011, 07:00:02 PM
I have fished for those most of my life, in a river system no way to ever get rid of them. They are here to stay.
Joe
This is just a repete of when Walleyes were introduced into Roosevelt 40 plus years ago. We used to fish them on the Kettle river and when the gammie came down and asked what we were catchin. Show him a tote sack full of them and they would ask is that all you got? Then some one found out just what a Gold mine they were and since the reg's have changed several times on them
There has never been a bag limit on the Northerns yet.
And there are still Walleye in Roosevelt, so it appears that they are here to stay also. So I really miss what you are trying to say?
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 13, 2011, 07:03:48 PM
I have fished for those most of my life, in a river system no way to ever get rid of them. They are here to stay.
Joe
This is just a repete of when Walleyes were introduced into Roosevelt 40 plus years ago. We used to fish them on the Kettle river and when the gammie came down and asked what we were catchin. Show him a tote sack full of them and they would ask is that all you got? Then some one found out just what a Gold mine they were and since the reg's have changed several times on them
There has never been a bag limit on the Northerns yet.
And there are still Walleye in Roosevelt, so it appears that they are here to stay also. So I really miss what you are trying to say?
They also were planted by a bucket biologist. They have spread thru out the river system now.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on December 14, 2011, 07:38:10 AM
Get up here and kill them guys!!!
Post by: Woodchuck on December 14, 2011, 07:43:00 AM
Post by: BIGINNER on December 14, 2011, 07:49:34 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on December 14, 2011, 07:54:43 AM
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on December 14, 2011, 07:56:37 AM
There are lots of pike in the Great lakes and they still have salmon runs, trout, bass, walleye... :dunno:
Exactly.
I love fishing for pike, and would like to see them more widespread in Washington. They do not do as much harm as people think they do. I have dove in Lake Champlain and watched big Northerns and Muskies in the river system with steelhead smolt going right on by them. Do they eat some, yes they do. Do they wipe out the entire population. No they don't. Pike are very aggressive and a fun fish to catch and even better eating.
Post by: Skillet on December 14, 2011, 08:16:59 AM
Filet and release...
Post by: Woodchuck on December 14, 2011, 08:23:35 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on December 14, 2011, 08:46:25 AM
Post by: Skillet on December 14, 2011, 08:49:36 AM
Problem is, pike are well known as a very prolific breeder and tend to inhabit the same part of the water column as the out-migrating smolts. There are already too many non-native predators in the Columbia River system that have established themselves (smallmouth bass being the most damaging to out-migrating smolts, IMHO), and the dams have created ideal habitat for a native predator in the squawfish (oh, sorry... Northern Pikeminnow :chuckle:) to prey on the smolts as well. As fun as they may be to catch and eat, we can ill-afford another predator in the system that is struggling to get smolts out past the bass, terns, walleye, dams and pikeminnow as it is.
I am not an expert by any means myself, but if the northern pike are allowed to become established down to the mouth of the Columbia, I will predict a seriously negative impact on the escapement of smolts - and consequently, the returning adults. Salmon and steelhead fishing is king in this state, and if the Columbia river system is inundated with this voracious predator, the impact to the sportsmen in Washington State would be ten times what it would be if there was a wolf behind every tree.
Nip this pike problem in the bud, and fast. I commend the WDFW for finally reacting to this.
Post by: Woodchuck on December 14, 2011, 08:52:33 AM
Post by: Skillet on December 14, 2011, 08:58:22 AM
We fished out of Arneson's resort for a couple of days, and out on the mouth of the Rainy a couple of days. On the lake side of Pine Island, I believe?
It was really neat to see the small town that is set up a few miles north of Arneson's. I've got some great pics of some of the crazy ice houses out there. Those boys take their ice fishing seriously!
Post by: Woodchuck on December 14, 2011, 09:06:47 AM
Post by: teal101 on December 14, 2011, 09:21:50 AM
I would love to be able to go catch Pike in the Columbia, but not at the cost of salmon and steelhead runs. Some of these runs are in major jeopardy and need help, not another predator. They already have Pikeminnow, Bass, and Walleye to compete with, two of which are introduced.
Post by: DoubleJ on December 14, 2011, 09:46:34 AM
Post by: lokidog on December 14, 2011, 10:25:58 AM
I have been doing my part for several years. I got to admit I really like fishing for them, but I also like to eat them.
Also I'm hoping that if they are not classified as a gamefish no longer, time to go bowfishing.
:tup: Puts new meaning into sight fishing. If you think a carp is fun on a bow line, imagine the fight of a 30" pike.
Post by: jackmaster on December 14, 2011, 10:45:09 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 14, 2011, 10:47:59 AM
sounds like a good time for them to put a bounty on them like they do squaw fish, there are some old timers that make pretty good side money while they are retired, not sure if they still do but i could venture to say that would be a fun way to supliment the income
You know where that bounty will come from, right? A rise in fishing licenses is where.
Post by: jackmaster on December 14, 2011, 10:52:03 AM
Post by: Skillet on December 14, 2011, 11:05:44 AM
A bounty on pike wouldn't be paid for by the BPA, unless the fish are being pulled from waters that sea run fish out-migrate through. That means Chief Joseph dam and below. And the Chelan PUD contracts out its squawfish fishing program to a company. So, that means only BPA-dammed waters, and that means Priest Rapids dam and lower. If the pike get established that far down, by the time there's a bounty reward, the battle is lost.
If they do put in a bounty, Pianoman is right on - you and I will be paying for it directly, instead of spreading the cost out over 10+ million people like the BPA does.
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on December 14, 2011, 11:33:18 AM
That's funny because, from what I remember, after they nuked Sprague lake about 6-8 years ago, they planted 100 of them in there along with trout, crappie, blue gil, and bass. Maybe I'm misremembering though
I think you're thinking of Tiger Muskie which is a sterile cross of Pike and Muskie.
Post by: teal101 on December 14, 2011, 11:41:46 AM
That's funny because, from what I remember, after they nuked Sprague lake about 6-8 years ago, they planted 100 of them in there along with trout, crappie, blue gil, and bass. Maybe I'm misremembering though
They nuked Sprague to get rid of the Chain Pickerel that were in there. They did NOT re-introduce any Pike, Pickerel, or Musky into it.
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 14, 2011, 05:58:34 PM
Post by: HornHoarder on December 14, 2011, 08:41:57 PM
Post by: walt on December 14, 2011, 09:13:31 PM
What about making Grand Coulee the wall? Here's an interesting read:
http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/grandcouleeimpactsonfish.asp
Post by: Special T on December 14, 2011, 09:45:49 PM
Post by: walt on December 14, 2011, 10:23:09 PM
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on December 15, 2011, 05:46:08 AM
Joe
Post by: HornHoarder on December 15, 2011, 08:42:13 AM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on December 15, 2011, 08:51:46 AM
Post by: Skillet on December 15, 2011, 09:12:14 AM
In my experience, I have seen lots of times when the pike are in the shallows, and are sunning themselves or resting? Been able to cruise up to within 10 yards with the electic motor. Usually big ones too. So can I legally try bowfishing for them now?
You can try, but I don't think you should try until they lift the "game fish" status on them...
:chuckle:
What about making Grand Coulee the wall? Here's an interesting read:
http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/grandcouleeimpactsonfish.asp
If Grand Coulee Dam is the wall, the pike will end up in the irrigation canal system via the Banks Lake intake - which eventually outputs back into the Columbia via Crab Creek just below Wanapum Dam. If northern pike are established in Lake Roosevelt, they'll eventually be established in the Columbia.
Post by: JODakota on December 15, 2011, 08:54:14 PM
they do not fin like carp, but as already stated they move into the shallows in mid to late spring, for breeding purposes and also for food. They are about 99.9% faster than a carp and a heck of a lot more skiddish. Going to be real hard pressed to get a bow shot under 15-25 yards on a pike.
Joe
Yes very fast..in fact worlds fastest freshwater fish. Im from ND and they are pretty much all we fish for their besides walleye
Post by: TommyH on January 03, 2012, 11:43:52 PM
Sounds like the time to go! I have been watching big pike pulled from the ice? any p.o. ice fishing any good, or winter pike fishing in general? :dunno:
Post by: JODakota on January 04, 2012, 04:34:36 PM
Post by: Russ McDonald on January 04, 2012, 04:43:58 PM
Post by: JODakota on January 04, 2012, 05:21:16 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on January 04, 2012, 05:27:32 PM
Post by: boneaddict on January 04, 2012, 05:33:56 PM
Post by: JODakota on January 04, 2012, 06:06:14 PM
Post by: top pin1 on January 04, 2012, 06:24:58 PM
And they must already be in the columbia river atleast in lake roosevelt. The Washington State recored was caught in Long lake in 2004 that is a section of the Spokane river that flows into lake roosevelt.
Washington 34 lbs 6 oz Long Lake Bryan McMannis 4/9/2004
http://www.landbigfish.com/staterecords/fishrecords.cfm?ID=16
I think theirs a lot more to the story then being told. If other fisheries can have good to great fishing for the sport fish then why all of a sudden are people freaking out on the pike now?
Any thoughts to that?
Top
Post by: TommyH on January 04, 2012, 06:37:59 PM
Post by: Ripper on January 05, 2012, 02:00:10 PM
Post by: Special T on January 06, 2012, 07:44:29 AM
Post by: TommyH on January 06, 2012, 07:55:36 AM
Top Pin... Naybody told you that you kinda look like Paul Jr OCC?
:chuckle: I thought it was Ed Bassmaster! :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Alpinegus on January 06, 2012, 10:21:46 AM
I would like to try and fish for the Northerns on the Pend Oreille.
Where is a good spot to put the boat in at? And a place to stay?
Post by: TommyH on January 06, 2012, 12:35:05 PM
Like some of you, I grew up fishing the Minnesota lakes as well.
I would like to try and fish for the Northerns on the Pend Oreille.
Where is a good spot to put the boat in at? And a place to stay?
Cusick/usk.. check out google and find some sloughs to try, from newport north you got pretty good chances of getting on some pike!